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Jega, Ex-Minister, Other Northern Leaders Reject Bid To Site US, French Military Bases In Nigeria—-Prominent northern leaders have cautioned against allowing the United States and the French governments to relocate their military bases from the Sahel to Nigeria.

In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly, on Friday, the leaders said the federal government should not succumb to such pressure.

Those who signed the letter include Professor Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training (CEDDERT), Zaria; Professor Kabiru Sulaiman Chafe, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, representing the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP), Kaduna; Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, who is a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Professor Jibrin Ibrahim from the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Abuja; Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CCISLAC) Abuja; and Y. Z. Ya’u from the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Kano.

According to the letter, the American and French governments have allegedly been aggressively lobbying Nigeria, along with other Gulf of Guinea countries, to sign new defence pacts that would allow them to redeploy their troops, expelled from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

The signatories expressed concern that Nigeria, being the most strategically located among the Gulf of Guinea countries, may succumb to this pressure, thereby jeopardising its defence and internal security.

“The recent expulsion of French and American troops from Niger due to their perceived ineffective presence raises questions about the efficacy of hosting foreign military bases”, the citizens said in the open letter.

They also argued that the primary goal of these bases, ostensibly to combat terrorism in the Sahel, has not been achieved, as terrorism has only escalated since those camps were established.

“It is important to clearly state that there are only dangers and no gains from such military operations.

“The American operations in Niger Republic, for example, were ostensibly to pre-empt and uproot terrorists from the Sahel region. The result has so far been quite unimpressive, if not a complete failure.

“It is apparent that the presence of American troops and other intelligence personnel in Niger Republic is not serving any useful purpose. This is for the simple reason that terrorism, far from abating, has risen dramatically since the US began its operations in the region,” they said.

They also cautioned against compromising Nigeria’s sovereignty and independence for short-term strategic alliances that may have dire long-term consequences.

They added that hosting foreign troops often leads to increased prices and living costs in local areas, disproportionately affecting the lower-income population.

“Environmentally, the construction and operation of military bases can lead to significant degradation of the local environment. This includes deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination, and loss of biodiversity, which are detrimental to agricultural communities and indigenous populations. The long-term environmental damage could further hinder economic opportunities and sustainable development,” they said.

The presidency and the National Assembly have yet to make any public comments on the open letter.

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JUST IN: EFCC Officers Arrested, Detained For Fraud In Lagos

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EFCC Officers Arrested

JUST IN: EFCC Officers Arrested, Detained For Fraud In Lagos—-Thecloudngr reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command over the alleged theft of missing operational items.

The commission’s Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Oyewale stated that the development was part of EFCC Chairman Mr Ola Olukoyede’s ongoing efforts to rid the commission of corrupt practices.

He explained that the officers were arrested last week following directives from the EFCC boss.

“The affected officers are being questioned regarding the theft of operational items they could not account for.

“Investigators are making good progress, and those found guilty will face internal disciplinary processes,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the EFCC also announced on Monday the dismissal of 27 officers as part of its efforts to enforce integrity and combat fraud.

Oyewale noted that these officers were involved in fraudulent activities and misconduct in 2024.

He said their dismissal was ratified by the EFCC chairman, based on recommendations from the anti-graft staff disciplinary committee.

Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer would be immune to disciplinary action.

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ERPS: Modo Ante Restates Commitment to Technology, Innovation for Progressive Revenue Generation

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Modo Ante

ERPS: Modo Ante Restates Commitment to Technology, Innovation for Progressive Revenue Generation—–The CEO/Founder of Modo Ante, a Public Governance and Policy Consultancy, Mr. Bamijoko Okupe, has restated the company’s commitment to the application of technology and innovation as creative and transformative tools for progressive revenue generation in Lagos State, and across the country.

 

He affirmed this at the Eko Revenue Plus Summit which held recently at the Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

 

Okupe applauded the leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu for prioritizing technology-driven governance. “The Eko Revenue Plus Summit has proven that when government and private sector stakeholders collaborate, the possibilities for revenue generation and sustainable development are limitless,” he said.

 

Reiterating Modo Ante’s commitment, Okupe outlined the consultancy’s three-pronged approach to revenue optimization: Harnessing technology for efficiency, developing customized digital solutions to improve tax compliance, streamline public service delivery, and enhance transparency. Innovative Policy Frameworks: Advising governments on policies that incentivize private sector investment while creating sustainable revenue streams. Strategic Communication: Designing campaigns that foster public trust and encourage compliance with tax and regulatory requirements.

 

Okupe, who is also the co-Convener of the summit, emphasized the critical role of data analytics and economic modelling in solving complex governance challenges. “At Modo Ante, we believe in the power of data to guide decision-making. Our goal is to provide actionable insights that drive growth and create value for all stakeholders,” he explained.

 

He stressed the importance of continuous dialogue and knowledge sharing to sustain the momentum generated by the summit. “The Eko Revenue Plus Summit is not just an event; it is the beginning of a movement. Together, we can build a future where technology and innovation drive inclusive growth and prosperity,” he declared.

 

Following the conclusion of the highly successful Eko Revenue Plus Summit, Modo Ante, a leading consultancy specializing in Governance, Public Sector, and Political Organisation Consulting, has reiterated its dedication to leveraging technology and innovative strategies to optimize revenue generation for governments and corporate organizations.

 

The two-day summit, brought together policymakers, thought leaders, and private sector stakeholders to explore new revenue streams and innovative approaches to governance and economic development. Anchored by Modo Ante in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, the summit served as a platform for robust discussions on the role of technology and innovation in addressing fiscal challenges and enhancing public service delivery.

 

In his keynote address, Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu advocated for broader revenue strategies in the state beyond taxation, including optimizing state-owned assets and creating new economic opportunities that Eko Revenue Plus Summit would identify. He urged the private sector to partner with the state under the PPPs in creating innovative revenue solutions, particularly in real estate, waste management, and technology and how to hold the government accountable for revenue. According to him, these three identified areas have enormous revenue potentials that are not yet fully tapped.

 

The Governor underscored the importance of technology as a critical tool for modern governance and revenue optimization. He emphasized the state’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve by embracing innovative solutions to manage its growing urban population and expanding economy.

 

“The Lagos State Government has consistently demonstrated leadership in adopting cutting-edge technology to drive development and improve revenue collection,” Sanwo-Olu stated. He highlighted the ongoing deployment of digital tools such as the Lagos State Unified Revenue Portal, which has simplified tax collection processes and improved transparency.

 

During his recap of proceedings, Mr. Abdul-kabir Opeyemi Ogungbo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, presented a detailed roadmap for sustainable revenue growth in Lagos State. He highlighted the state’s achievements in widening the tax net and implementing data-driven policies to improve compliance.

 

“Our success stems from our ability to innovate and deploy intelligent systems that simplify revenue collection while ensuring accountability,” Ogungbo noted. He cited the state’s partnership with private sector technology firms in developing analytics tools that identify untapped revenue sources.

 

Ogungbo called on other states in Nigeria to emulate Lagos by prioritizing investments in technology and capacity building. “Revenue generation in the 21st century requires a shift from traditional methods to a more data-centric approach. The Lagos example is a template that can be replicated across the country,” he asserted.

 

The success of the Eko Revenue Plus Summit underscores the growing recognition of technology and innovation as indispensable tools for governance and economic development. Modo Ante’s pivotal role in organizing the summit and its commitment to transformative solutions solidify its position as a leader in the consulting space.

 

As the consultancy continues to engage with governments and corporate organizations, it remains steadfast in its mission to deliver impactful results that foster sustainable development. With its expertise in governance, public policy, and political communication, Modo Ante is poised to reshape the future of revenue generation and public service delivery in Nigeria and beyond.

 

The summit concluded with a renewed call for collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society to address fiscal challenges and unlock new revenue streams. Participants lauded the role of technology and innovation as game-changers in public finance management.

 

 

 

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